Horrific discovery in the morning
At around 8:30am on September 11, a woman in Kathu, Phuket, discovered her husband lifeless on the floor of the bathroom in their dormitory-style residence on Soi Sai Thong. Earlier, she had seen him lying on the bed. She immediately alerted the police.
Officers from Kathu Police Station, a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital, and rescue teams from the Phuket Kusontham Foundation arrived promptly, but the man was already dead.
Family argument appears to be the trigger
Police Lieutenant Natthaya Suphanphong confirmed that a heated dispute had occurred between the deceased and his stepson shortly before the incident. The exact details remain unclear, but the conflict reportedly affected the man so deeply that he saw no alternative.
Police Superintendent Pratuang Phonmana personally oversaw the initial investigation. No signs of foul play were found at the scene; all evidence points to suicide.
The forensic doctor examined the body on-site before it was sent for a full autopsy at Vachira Phuket Hospital, which confirmed no external injuries or poisoning. The cause of death was officially ruled as suicide.
Second suicide in Phuket in weeks
Just two weeks earlier, on August 28, authorities investigated another suicide at the Jui Tui Shrine in Phuket Town. While the cases are unrelated, they underscore a concerning pattern.
Experts warn that loneliness, stress, and depression are rising in society. The Thai government has set up multiple helplines for those in need:
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Samaritans of Thailand: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai)
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Thai Mental Health Hotline: 1323